Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics at Villanova University

Congratulations, Dr. Posner!

This , we are excited to feature Michael A. Posner, PhD, PStat®, professor of Mathematics and Statistics and director of the Center for Statistics and Data Science Education in Villanova University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Posner is the 2023 recipient of the Biostatistics Distinguished Alumni Award presented by Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH). This annual award recognizes an alum from any graduate-level biostatistics program at Boston University whose career embodies the school’s core purpose to “Think. Teach. Do. For the health of all.” This includes notable contributions to the field, such as publishing peer-reviewed articles, teaching and mentoring the next generation of biostatisticians and doing work that impacts underserved populations.

Throughout the past decade, Dr. Posner has received more than $4 million in federal funding. Most recently, Dr. Posner was awarded a $347k three-year grant from the National Institutes of Health dedicated to researching the cellular effects of subway air particles in human lung cells. Additionally, Dr. Posner was elected Fellow of the American Statistical Association (ASA) in 2017 for outstanding leadership and mentorship in statistics education, contributions to the field of statistics education research, and service to the profession. He also served as chair of the Section on Statistics and Data Science Education for the ASA from 2019-2021.

For Dr. Posner, winning this award is a testament to the support and encouragement he received during his time at BUSPH and throughout his career in academia. In an interview with BUSPH, Dr. Posner expressed how “humbled and honored” he was to receive this award from his alma mater. Along with accepting this award, Dr. Posner gave a presentation of his work at BUSPH on Oct. 26, 2023.

Welcome, Dr. Hanson!

We are excited to welcome new Assistant Teaching Professor Angela Hanson, PhD, Mathematics and Statistics, as this week’s feature!

The Augustinian values of Veritas, Unitas, and Caritas play a significant role in Dr. Hanson’s approach to teaching. In addition to the education and growth of her students in a mathematical context, Dr. Hanson aims to foster critical thinking, information literacy, communication and collaboration skills. Her inclusive teaching approach aims to incorporate diverse cultural perspectives and identities to minimize bias in the classroom.

In her research, Dr. Hanson uses graph theory and other discrete math structures to answer questions in algebraic geometry. “I like to say that I look at pretty pictures to help us understand objects that we can’t otherwise see,” she says. In her discipline, Dr. Hanson enjoys teaching discrete math and courses within the calculus sequence. This gives her the opportunity to meet a broad range of students from various majors. “All these students have diverse approaches to math problem solving and continue to show me new ways to think about calculus.”

Dr. Hanson is continuously inspired by those around her including family, friends, colleagues and students. “I am surrounded by incredible individuals who are passionate about what they do, persistent in the face of challenges, generous with their time and resources, and caring towards me and others,” she says. "My students continue to surprise and impress me every semester. They have such bright ideas and incredible life experiences that help me grow as an instructor and a person.”

Congratulations Aidan!

Aidan Fecko ’23 CLAS is this week’s feature!

With a double major in Mathematics and Spanish Language and Literature and a minor in Latin American Studies, Aidan enjoyed participating in a range of academic and extracurricular activities at Villanova. In the Villanova Student Musical Theatre, Aidan was both a performer and production manager, while also serving as a music director for the Minor Problem a ca****la ensemble. He also worked as a New Student Orientation counselor, Villanova tour guide and tutor during his senior year.

As a CLAS student, Aidan experienced a personalized and supportive academic journey. “Having professors who were in my corner supporting my endeavors both inside and outside the classroom helped me to always take the next step with my education and all my future aspirations, including Fulbright,” says Aidan. “With any activities that I was a part of, the CLAS professors were always interested in supporting these events and checking in to see how they were going. I truly believe that having professors that supported me throughout my entire college career has made the difference in the student that I am today.”

Aidan's next chapter will take him to Montenegro as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant, aligning with his career goals. “My Fulbright experience will prepare me for my future in teaching, where I hope to pursue graduate school in Applied Mathematics,” shares Aidan. “I look forward to experiencing daily life in Montenegro and meeting new people!”

This week’s new member is Ida Marie Alcantara, PhD, assistant teaching professor, Mathematics and Statistics!

Dr. Alcantara teaches introductory statistics classes that emphasize the importance of collaboration and learning, both academically and personally. “I love having the opportunity not just to teach first-year students statistics, but also help them adjust to the college life,” she explains.

She does so by prioritizing Villanova’s Values of Unitas, Caritas and Veritas in her classroom: students are encouraged to work together, learn at their own pace, and meaningfully navigate the world around them. “I make sure the students know they can count on me to help and guide them in their journey to getting their degree. I encourage them to be critical of what they read online, and to be able to distinguish between false information and good information,” Dr. Alcantara notes.

Not only does Dr. Alcantara help her students, but she in turn feels helped by them: “The students are really hard workers, and it makes it easier to prepare for each class knowing that students want to learn. It is nice to be in the kind of environment Villanova has, where everyone wants to bring out the best in you. My colleagues give me support and suggestions on how to improve my craft for teaching, and it really is inspiring to be in such a supportive place.”

Sports can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. For Noah Swan CLAS ’23, who is majoring in Mathematics with minors in Statistics, French and Economics, the love of the game is matched by a love of data. Recently, Noah completed an internship with Orlando City Soccer Club that touched on both of these interests. “I was a soccer analytics intern working on various assignments supporting the analytics strategy of the team. I worked under my advisor on projects that varied from player evaluation to exploring game reporting metrics,” he explains.

At Villanova, Noah’s professional skills have been sharpened by several professors: “I'm currently taking my second class with Dr. Yimin Zhang, whose advanced analytics classes have provided me with the tools to approach sports analytics problems. She is one of the smartest people I've met, and I think anyone should try to take one of her classes. Dr. Alexander Diaz-Lopez (Math) and Dr. Etienne Achille (French) are two professors whose classes have further challenged me to solve problems and think in different ways.”

After graduating, Noah wants to continue working in this field, especially with soccer teams. “My passion for sports analytics has grown through the sports analytics club at Villanova, and my internship provided me with the key experiences and connections that are necessary for finding opportunities in the future.”

Tune in to Jeopardy on Wednesday 2/9 night to cheer on Mitch!

Mitchell Macek ’24 CLAS is a student contestant in the Jeopardy! National College Championship—an opportunity he’s been preparing for since the fall of 2020. His episode airs 2/9 at 8:00 PM EST on ABC. “It began with taking the National College Online Test, a set of 50 random questions with a time limit. A few months later, I was instructed to take another, more difficult 50-question exam. After a brief audition over Zoom, I waited another eight months! During that time, I watched the show every day, began reading more, and consulted the J! -Archive to quiz myself.” Last fall he received the phone call he’d been hoping for—and flew out to Los Angeles to film.

A Mathematics and Education double major, Mitch says the knowledge he’s amassed through CLAS Core Requirements—specifically his Theology and ACS courses—allowed him to be more competitive. “While I’m more knowledgeable about the sciences, mathematics, and technology, my retention of things from my core humanities courses helped a lot. I also want to thank Villanova University Tech Crew, Villanova Gaming Society, Villanova Billiards Club, Sophomore Service Learning Community, my professors (particularly Dr. Vikram Kamat and Dr. Margaret Grubiak), Tyler Brown, Ryan Duff, and my friends and family. Their support has made me feel at home here, and I am proud to represent Villanova on the show.”

Photo courtesy of Jeopardy Productions, Inc.

Congratulations Jessica!

Today’s feature is Jessica Baldys, a Finance and Mathematics double major with a concentration in Applied Quantitative Finance. She is to Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Business with a merit-based scholarship. Congratulations, Jessica!

The Student Research Committee announces the very First Student Research Symposium on Friday, December 3 from 1-3pm in Dougherty East Hall. We hope you can join us!

Huge thanks to Andrew Gribbin from Aramark, Sarah Houle from J.P. Morgan, and Sara Drake from Bloomberg LP for giving so generously of their time, experience, and expertise during today's Internship Workshop for Villanova Mathematics and Applied Statistics majors. Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics at Villanova University Villanova Math Club

Students can apply the analytical and quantitative skills that they are developing in many industries and across many disciplines, and Andrew, Sarah, and Sara illuminated this reality for us while illustrating the many possibilities that exist. Students should think critically about their interests and skills, and create their own unique path to meaningful work.

Contact me at [email protected] to learn more -- all CLAS majors welcome!

Congratulations to Dr. Diaz-Lopez!

Alexander Diaz-Lopez, PhD, assistant professor, Mathematics and Statistics, is a leader in building community spaces for mathematicians. During the COVID-19 pandemic he co-founded and co-organized the Mathematics Summer Workshop for Achieving Greater Graduate Educational Readiness, a free five-week virtual summer program for underrepresented students in mathematics and statistics. He is also a co-founder of Latinx and Hispanics in the Mathematical Sciences, which showcases the contributions of Latinx and Hispanic mathematicians during Hispanic Heritage Month each year. Congratulations to Dr. Diaz-Lopez, one of three recipients nationwide of the Mathematical Association of America 2021 Henry L. Alder Award for Distinguished Teaching. The award recognizes beginning college or university faculty who are extraordinarily successful teachers and effective in teaching undergraduate mathematics that is influential beyond their own classrooms.

Can you solve it?

Happy Friday! Enjoy this virtual performance including our own Professor Chelsea Romito & Dr. Doug Norton

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1CLRJvjbWnM&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR3-Kz3r5_GIhyVFoW7UtgWHBYBvcjLXV1Qy8WvGe0iNE0WkMWpf9FJ79SE

"How Can I Keep From Singing" Volunteers from the Villanova University Faculty-Staff Choir perform “How Can I Keep from Singing” under the direction of Elizabeth-Jane McGuire, PhD